Page 4 of Under His Command
But even if Rowan did deploy all these orders, the CCSI fucking deserves it.
They’ve killed civilians. Children, too. Pushed the villagers living in the Ridge into a corner, breaking families apart and causing immense suffering. And for what? A bunch of gold in the remaining mines in the area?
I shake my head. The news station shows a few more videos of Rowan getting out of a helicopter, then walking alongside the lieutenant colonels and majors under his command.
Van Reynolds keeps talking, but I’m forcing myself to stop paying attention, since I don’t want Sterling to make fun of my stupid little crush even more.
“…it’s not like she doesn’t want to, right, Dove?” Sterling asks.
“Huh?”
“Jared was just saying how he wants to pick you up for the picnic this weekend. That’s sweet, right?”
I turn my head toward him, a smirk already plastered on his face.
“I told you, I need to secure an internship by the end of the semester. I was counting on writing some more applications this weekend.”
“Oh, come now,” Jared smiles. “It’ll be fun.”
“So will securing a job at a law firm after graduation.” I slurp the last drops of my Coke through the straw.
Sterling rolls her eyes dramatically. “Everyone knows you’re going to get one. Live a little—you’ve got plenty of time to stick your nose up in boring case files next year.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, an apologetic smile spreading across my face.
Sterling narrows her eyes at me, a silent message indicating that we’re not done talking about this.
That night, I go home alone and spread my pussy open, imagining that Rowan is watching me, praising me, and using me in all the ways only he knows how to do.
I fall asleep excited to dream of him again, but in the morning, I realize the dream never came.
That was the first night I hadn’t dreamed about Rowan.
THREE
Present Day
I’m filing away my boss’s backup documents for court on Monday when my phone rings, an unknown number flashing on the screen. I groan, my head throbbing from yet another sleepless night being Miss Pratt’s second brain.
It’s not easy training under a world-class lawyer, but I didn’t expect it to be. Just the fact that I’ve managed to secure my position here after winning my internship at her law firm three years ago should be a celebration in itself. And most days, it is. Most days, when the loneliness doesn’t overtake me like it did today.
I pick my phone up from the desk, placing down the papers cradled at my chest. It’s 7 p.m., and I haven’t made plans with anyone. Not since Lucian and Sterling—my only friends—are still busy fucking on their honeymoon in Bali.
Reluctantly, I accept the call and put the phone to my ear, only to be met with silence from the other end of the line. I frown, looking at the screen to see if we’re still connected. We are.
“Hello? Who is this?”
Shuffling and breathing, but still no words.
I curse under my breath and I’m about to end the call when an unfamiliar voice finally comes through.
“Miss Finnegan? I apologize for the broken connection. The location I’m calling from is most certainly at fault. This is Saint Tanner, on behalf of the military. Do you have a moment?”
My words get stuck in my throat, and my knees buckle so suddenly I have to sit down.
“Miss Finnegan?”
“Yes. Hello. How can I help you?”
